Packers 2017 Draft: Lombardi Ave staff make first-round predictions

Brad Miller: Packers select Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

With all the departures during the offseason the Packers will have more than a few holes to fill with this week’s upcoming draft. So, what should they do with their first round selection?

A lot of prognosticators are looking for help at last year’s Achilles heel with the cornerback position. Some think they need to get someone to replace the departed Eddie Lacy at running back. Others think the offensive line had been hit enough over the last two years that they need to fill a hole at guard or tackle.

Maybe the loss of Julius Peppers and the slight decline of Clay Matthews means a big pass rusher should be brought in early.

Any of those areas would fill a need but the Packers’ focus with their first pick should be Ohio State CB Gareon Conley.

This kid is a stud. Being an avid Big Ten fan and watching him on more than one occasion I think there is a lot to like and still with room to get better.

He is at that coveted 6’0” height for the new wave CBs in the NFL. He ran a 4.44 40 at the combine. Another attribute is her vertical jump. He had a 37” mark in February. He has quick hips and can find a gear to catch up to a wide receiver. Things he would have to work on are his tackling and getting quicker reads on the wide receiver’s routes.

With all of the bigger, aggressive receivers in the Big Ten his transition to the NFL and the Packers should be fairly smooth.